Caterpillar to shutter Aurora plant, cut 800 jobs
Caterpillar to shutter Aurora plant, cut 800 jobs
The company’s announcement affects 800 hourly employees, though 1,200 workers will remain in Aurora. In January, Caterpillar announced plans to relocate its global headquarters to Chicago and out of its longtime hub in Peoria.
By Hilary Gowins
Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders
Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders
Luxembourg’s ambassador to the United States has voiced objections to an Illinois House bill that would label Luxembourg a tax haven and subject corporations expatriated there to restrictions on investments and business dealings with the state of Illinois.
By Brendan Bakala
Moody’s warning of an “inflection point” in Illinois signals need for spending reforms
Moody’s warning of an “inflection point” in Illinois signals need for spending reforms
Illinois lawmakers should heed Moody’s Investors Service’s warnings about the state’s precarious economic health and dire fiscal situation and enact major structural spending reforms to balance the budget.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Chicago Teachers Union seeks more negotiating power, strike authority in HB 1253
Chicago Teachers Union seeks more negotiating power, strike authority in HB 1253
While states surrounding Illinois are enacting labor reforms that benefit residents, Illinois remains a bastion of labor power. Now the Chicago Teachers Union wants even more power – including the broadened right to go on strike and strand parents and students.
By Mailee Smith
Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana
Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana
A proposed amendment to Illinois’ Criminal Identification Act would allow people to petition to have their arrest and conviction records cleared of any cannabis-related offenses that Illinois ultimately takes off the books through marijuana legalization.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships
Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships
On March 29, the Illinois House of Representatives voted almost unanimously in favor of allowing voters to decide on local government consolidation – a crucial component of shrinking local government spending, which drives up property taxes. State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, sponsored House Bill 496, which received bipartisan support – more than a dozen representatives...
By Brendan Bakala
Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax
Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax
A multibillion-dollar business based in Missouri — Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. — is making a pretty penny helping to hike local sales taxes across Illinois.
By Austin Berg
House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax
House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax
Legislation with bipartisan support in the House would oppose the internet streaming tax proposal – which might not even be legal – in the Senate’s “grand bargain.”
Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
With hundreds of taxing bodies in their county and inaction from Springfield, DuPage homeowners will soon see yet another property tax increase.
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Despite being axed for bad performance, and in some cases not even doing its job, Northstar Lottery Group is collecting millions in fees and bonuses.
By Brendan Bakala
SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws
SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws
A bill in the Illinois Senate would provide certain alcohol producers some freedom within the state’s three-tier system – which has been maintained through measures limiting competition and benefiting the politically connected.
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Illinois House Bill 3868 would give Gov. Bruce Rauner the authority to trim costs and reorder the state’s spending priorities to balance the budget.
By Amy Korte